Time Waster: Bailout Wars

I know that nearly all my Time Wasters have been free. They’re usually Flash games that can be found on AddictingGames or Kongregate. But I’m changing it up a bit and recommending Bailout Wars. Although it’s not exactly free, it’s 99 cents on the iTunes store, which is close. (And if you’re interested, Gameloft also offers a free trial version.)

In terms of gameplay, it resembles Chillingo’sKnights Onrush. But instead of knights and dragons, Bailout Wars features greedy bankers and CEOs, who are after the bailout money. They come in waves toward the White House. Players will have to fend them off by flicking them in the air and so that they come crashing to the ground.

Defeated bankers leave money, which can be used to purchase upgrades like snipers, tanks and good ol’ Uncle Sam who can summon a laser beam from space. Yes, the game’s art and style is cartoonish and over-the-top, but it does tackle a subject matter that’s hitting home right now. And really, isn’t it more entertaining to toss bankers like rag dolls instead of the usual knight or mercenary?

Play Time: Bailout Wars is fairly short. Each wave takes about a minute and the best thing about iPhone games is that pressing the suspend button puts the game on a pause until the next time you use your iPhone. All in all, it’s a decent game with an entertaining premise, and if you have a spare dollar lying around, it isn’t such a bad Time Waster for when you’re waiting in line at the, ahem, bank.